Fast Growing Trees And Shrubs: Your Guide To A Lush Landscape In

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Are you staring out at a new yard, a bare fence, or a space that just feels a little too… open? I know the feeling. The dream of a lush, private garden oasis can feel like it’s years, or even decades, away. Patience is a virtue in gardening, but sometimes you just want results, and you want them now!

Well, I have some fantastic news for you. I promise that creating a beautiful, established-looking landscape doesn’t have to take a lifetime. The secret lies in choosing the right plants, and that’s where this guide to fast growing trees and shrubs comes in.

Imagine blocking out your neighbor’s view with a green screen in just a couple of seasons, or enjoying the shade of a beautiful tree much sooner than you ever thought possible. It’s completely achievable!

In this complete fast growing trees and shrubs guide, we’ll dig into everything you need to know. We’ll explore the incredible benefits, I’ll share my personal favorite plant picks, and we’ll walk through the essential best practices for planting and care to ensure your garden thrives from day one. Let’s get growing!

The Incredible Benefits of Fast Growing Trees and Shrubs

Opting for speedy growers isn’t just about impatience; it’s a strategic choice with a host of wonderful rewards. Understanding the full spectrum of the benefits of fast growing trees and shrubs can help you design a garden that’s not only beautiful but also functional and eco-friendly.

  • Instant Privacy Screens: This is the number one reason many gardeners seek out these plants. A well-placed row of Thuja Green Giants or Privet can create a living wall, offering seclusion and blocking unwanted views in just 2-3 years.
  • Quick Curb Appeal: A bare front yard can feel uninviting. Fast-growing plants quickly add structure, color, and life, dramatically boosting your home’s curb appeal and even its value.
  • Faster Shade and Cooling: Tired of a sun-scorched patio? A fast-growing shade tree like a Hybrid Poplar or River Birch can provide significant cooling relief, reducing your energy bills and making your outdoor spaces more comfortable.
  • Effective Windbreaks: If your property is exposed to strong winds, a dense planting of fast-growing trees can create a natural barrier, protecting your home and other, more delicate plants in your garden.
  • Support Local Ecosystems: Many of these plants provide food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Choosing eco-friendly fast growing trees and shrubs, especially native varieties, helps create a vibrant habitat in your own backyard.
  • Erosion Control: On sloped or bare land, the extensive root systems of fast-growing species are fantastic for holding soil in place, preventing erosion from wind and rain.

Our Top Picks: The Best Fast Growing Trees

Ready to find the perfect tree for your space? These varieties are known for their vigorous growth and reliability. Don’t worry—I’ve included a mix of evergreen and deciduous options to suit any garden design!

Thuja ‘Green Giant’ (Thuja standishii x plicata ‘Green Giant’)

If you need a privacy screen, this is your champion. The Green Giant is a dense, hardy, and exceptionally fast-growing evergreen that has become a favorite for a reason. It’s also quite resistant to pests and diseases.

  • Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year.
  • Mature Size: 40-60 feet tall, 12-20 feet wide.
  • Best For: Privacy screens, hedges, and windbreaks.

Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)

There’s nothing quite like the graceful, sweeping branches of a Weeping Willow. It’s a classic for a reason and grows incredibly fast, especially if you have a spot with moist soil, like near a pond or a low-lying area of your yard.

  • Growth Rate: 3-8 feet per year.
  • Mature Size: 30-40 feet tall and wide.
  • Best For: Specimen trees, properties with moist soil or water features.

River Birch (Betula nigra)

I absolutely adore the River Birch for its stunning, peeling bark that provides year-round interest. It’s a multi-stemmed tree that adds wonderful texture and form to the landscape. It’s also more resistant to the bronze birch borer than other birch varieties.

  • Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year.
  • Mature Size: 40-70 feet tall, 40-60 feet wide.
  • Best For: Year-round interest, shade, and as a beautiful specimen tree.
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Our Favorite Fast Growing Shrubs

Shrubs are the workhorses of the garden, filling in spaces, creating structure, and providing seasonal color. These speedy options will help your garden beds look full and fabulous in no time.

Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia)

Forsythia is the ultimate harbinger of spring! Its explosion of brilliant yellow flowers on bare branches is a welcome sight after a long winter. It’s incredibly tough and grows quickly to form a dense, informal hedge.

  • Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year.
  • Mature Size: 8-10 feet tall, 10-12 feet wide.
  • Best For: Early spring color, informal hedges, and bank stabilization.

North Privet (Ligustrum x ibolium)

When you need a formal, dense hedge, and you need it fast, Privet is a classic choice. It responds exceptionally well to shearing, allowing you to create a very tidy, manicured look. It’s a semi-evergreen, meaning it will hold its leaves in milder climates.

  • Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year.
  • Mature Size: 8-12 feet tall, 8-10 feet wide.
  • Best For: Formal hedges and privacy screens.

Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)

Don’t think of hydrangeas as just small garden flowers! Varieties like ‘Limelight’ or ‘Quick Fire’ are large, fast-growing shrubs that produce enormous, cone-shaped flowers from mid-summer through fall. They are perfect for beginners—so reliable!

  • Growth Rate: 1-2+ feet per year.
  • Mature Size: 6-8 feet tall and wide (or larger for some cultivars).
  • Best For: Summer and fall flowers, informal screens, and adding a touch of elegance.

How to Plant Fast Growing Trees and Shrubs for Maximum Growth

Giving your new plants the right start is the single most important thing you can do to ensure they reach their speedy potential. Follow these fast growing trees and shrubs best practices, and you’ll be setting them up for a long and healthy life. This is how to fast growing trees and shrubs the right way!

  1. Choose the Right Spot: Before you even dig, read the plant tag! Match the plant’s needs (sun, shade, partial sun) to the conditions in your yard. Crucially, consider its mature size. That tiny sapling will get huge, so plant it far enough away from your house, power lines, and other structures.
  2. Prepare the Soil: Most plants love rich, well-draining soil. I always recommend amending the native soil you dig out of the hole with a few shovelfuls of compost. This adds vital nutrients and improves soil structure.
  3. Dig the Perfect Hole: This is a common mistake! Dig the hole two to three times wider than the plant’s root ball, but no deeper. The top of the root ball should sit level with or even slightly above the surrounding ground.
  4. Plant with Care: Gently remove the plant from its container. If the roots are tightly wound (root-bound), use your fingers or a small knife to gently tease them apart. Place the plant in the center of the hole and backfill with your amended soil, tamping it down gently to remove air pockets.
  5. Water Deeply: Immediately after planting, give your new tree or shrub a long, deep drink of water. This helps settle the soil around the roots and reduces transplant shock. For the first few weeks, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  6. Add a Layer of Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like shredded bark or wood chips) around the base of the plant, but be sure to keep it a few inches away from the main stem or trunk to prevent rot. Mulch is a gardener’s best friend—it retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature.

The “Catch”: Navigating Common Problems with Fast Growing Trees and Shrubs

As an experienced gardener, I believe in being honest about the full picture. While fantastic, rapid growers can come with a few trade-offs. Being aware of these common problems with fast growing trees and shrubs allows you to plan ahead and manage them effectively.

  • Weaker Wood: Rapid growth often results in wood that is less dense and more brittle than that of slower-growing species. This can make them more susceptible to damage from wind, snow, and ice storms. Pro Tip: Proper pruning to develop a strong structure from a young age is essential.
  • Shorter Lifespans: The “live fast, die young” adage can apply here. Many ultra-fast growers, like the Lombardy Poplar, may have a lifespan of only 15-30 years, compared to centuries for an Oak. Plan accordingly for eventual replacement.
  • Aggressive Roots: Some fast-growing trees have shallow, aggressive root systems that can damage sidewalks, driveways, and even foundations if planted too close to structures. Always research a tree’s root habits before planting.
  • Higher Maintenance Needs: To keep them looking their best and structurally sound, fast growers often require more frequent pruning than their slow-and-steady cousins. Be prepared for annual trimming, especially for hedges.
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Your Fast Growing Trees and Shrubs Care Guide

You’ve planted your new green additions—congratulations! Now, let’s keep them happy. This simple fast growing trees and shrubs care guide covers the essentials for the first few years and beyond.

Watering Wisely

For the first year or two, your plants are focused on establishing a strong root system. Water deeply once or twice a week during the growing season, especially during dry spells. A slow, deep soak is far better than a light daily sprinkle. Once established, most are quite drought-tolerant but will appreciate a drink during extreme heat.

Fertilizing for Fuel

While good soil is the best foundation, a little extra boost can help. I recommend applying a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring, just as new growth begins. Follow the package directions—more is not better!

The Power of Pruning

Pruning is your most powerful tool for managing fast-growing plants. The goal is to encourage a strong, open structure. For trees, remove any crossing, dead, or weak branches. For shrubs, regular trimming will maintain their shape and density. The best time to prune most species is in late winter or early spring while they are dormant.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Growing Trees and Shrubs

How fast is “fast-growing” in the plant world?

That’s a great question! Generally, a plant is considered “fast-growing” if it puts on 24 inches or more of growth in a single year. Some of the speediest on our list, like the Weeping Willow, can grow even faster under ideal conditions.

Can I plant fast-growing trees near my house or septic system?

You need to be very careful here. As a rule of thumb, plant large trees at least 20-30 feet away from your home’s foundation, and even further from septic fields. Always research the specific root system of the tree you’re considering. When in doubt, choose a smaller shrub or a tree with a known non-aggressive root system.

Are there sustainable and eco-friendly fast growing trees and shrubs?

Absolutely! The most sustainable fast growing trees and shrubs are often those native to your specific region. Native plants are adapted to your local climate, support local pollinators and wildlife, and typically require less water and fertilizer once established. Check with your local extension office for a list of fast-growing native plants for your area.

What’s the biggest mistake gardeners make with these plants?

The most common mistake is underestimating their mature size. That adorable 3-foot sapling from the nursery can quickly become a 50-foot giant that overwhelms a small yard, crowds out other plants, and causes structural issues. Always plan for the tree or shrub it will become, not the one you bring home.

Your Fast-Track Garden Awaits!

There you have it—everything you need to transform your landscape with the magic of fast growing trees and shrubs. From the instant gratification of a privacy screen to the long-term joy of a shady retreat, these plants offer incredible rewards for any gardener willing to give them a good home.

Remember the key takeaways from our guide: choose the right plant for the right place, give it a great start with proper planting, and stay on top of pruning to keep it healthy and strong. Don’t be afraid to jump in!

So, grab your shovel, pick your favorite from our list, and get ready to watch your garden transform before your very eyes. Happy planting!

Rimon Chowdhury
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